Star Wars: The Last Qymaili | ✔

24 | I Submit to No One

"Order! We will have ORDER!" Mas Amedda shouted from his stand.

The prattle died down, and Chancellor Palpatine stepped forward. "Senators, the jury is eager to deliver results on the decision."

From across the room, the enormous form of Bent helped Qymaen into his Senate pod. Voices shot like a million blasters firing at once as senators hurled suggestions at D'oon and the other Jedi on the jury. Many squabbled with each other, urging them to side with Huk instead of the Kaleesh, who were uncivilized beasts. Ronderu's head ached from the chatter.

A woman's voice rang out from the chair marked Naboo. "Senators! We haven't even conducted an investigation!"

"Unfortunately, Senator Amidala," a nasally voice to her left replied in a condescending tone, "Kalee chose to leave the Republic ages ago. We cannot conduct an investigation without first consulting the planetary government."

"Then let the khagan speak," Amidala replied. "Let him authorize this investigation before we punish the Kaleesh people based on only half-truths."

Ronderu wrinkled her nose. Was this how the Senate operated? Did they just shout as loud as they could and hope that validated their opinions?

"ORDER!" Mas Amedda bellowed, but the Senate continued mudslinging. He slammed his staff on the ground. "We will have ORDER!"

"Senators, please," Chancellor Palpatine said gently, a small smile touching his lips. The Senate calmed down almost immediately; the effect he had on them was alien. "The Senate will hear from Jedi Masters T'Chooka D'oon and Jmmaar."

D'oon stepped up to the stand. "The jury has decided that the account of Huk is truthful."

Her face twisted into a scowl. Far be it from me to think otherwise. What do you want, a medal?

Jmmaar continued, his crustacean-like form clicking on the podium. "Khagan Sheelal has been shown to have a faulty mind before. Evidenced by the....rather brutal murder of the governor at the Battle of Kaleela, he is quite unstable and therefore much less likely to recount the events of the Huk War accurately."

"How did you know about Kaleela?" Qymaen's voice boomed from his pod, but Ronderu refused to turn her eyes his way.

"Huk delivered its full detailing much earlier than now," Jmmaar continued blithely. "Ever since the unfortunate passing of your companion, you have been prone to outbursts and instability. Additionally....hallucinations." His face was grim. "You know that the Yam'rii have had ire against you for several years."

"The Khaganate will authorize an investigation," Qymaen cried. "Didn't one of the senators propose that? Kalee will get the Republic's soldiers on our soil. My people will not be subject to more brutality based on a lie!"

"Sheelal," Palpatine admonished, "you have not been given permission to speak."

Qymaen bowed his head and spoke through gritted teeth. "Humble apologies, Your Excellency. It slipped my mind that the king is used to his subjects obeying his every order."

Palpatine ignored the comment. "The Senate has decreed a punishment upon Kalee for its crimes of offensive warfare. A sanction of twenty-five billion credits upon your planet shall be imposed, due to the office of the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic."

Qymaen chuckled. "Kalee doesn't use Republic currency. These sanctions are meaningless."

"Of course," Palpatine said, shadows splayed across his ancient face, "there are....other ways to extract our dues. Other more effective methods."